JOHANNESBURG, 24 November (H.S.): The first-ever G20 summit held on African soil concluded on Sunday with a unified declaration on multilateral cooperation, but the event was largely overshadowed by the conspicuous absence of the United States. President Donald Trump chose to boycott the Johannesburg gathering, a move that highlighted deepening rifts in the global order but failed to derail the summit's agenda.

Unity in the Face of Division

Despite the U.S. boycott, the remaining G20 members adopted a 122-point declaration focused on Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability. In his closing address, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the agreement demonstrated that the members' shared goals outweighed their differences.

The declaration commits to addressing climate change, reducing economic inequality, and promoting inclusive industrialization, with a strong focus on the priorities of Africa and the Global South. The leaders also reached a consensus on working towards just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Trump's Boycott and a Diplomatic Spat

President Trump's decision to abstain from the summit stemmed from his widely discredited claims that South Africa's white minority is the victim of large-scale, racially motivated killings and land grabs. The boycott culminated in a diplomatic spat over the ceremonial handover of the G20 presidency. South Africa refused to pass the ceremonial gavel to a junior embassy official sent by the U.S., calling the gesture disrespectful.

The formal handover to the U.S., which is scheduled to host the summit in 2026, is now expected to take place quietly at a later date.

World Leaders Respond

Leaders in Johannesburg were publicly critical of Washington's absence. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the U.S. abstention not a good decision at a time when the world is currently undergoing a realignment.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva asserted that it didn't matter much that Trump was absent, adding that multilateralism was more alive than ever. Host President Cyril Ramaphosa, who had earlier called the boycott their loss, was congratulated by fellow leaders for successfully steering the summit through the controversy.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar